IT Careers

[Supreme]

Decide if you want to be a programmer or non-programmer. From there decide if you want to persue the degree or non-degree.

I can tell you from experience what the difference a non-degreed non-programmer IT professional can expect versus a degreed non-programmer IT professional.


Non-Degree

Even at your BEST skill level without a degree you can expect to top out as a Senior/Lead<Insert Special Title>. This is because management wants to be able to showcase their IT staff and having a non-degreed employee representing the management of the IT group can be a detriment to business.

However with that being said with the right certs you can make well over $100k+. Sometimes, depending on tasks you are performing, you may even end up on $75/hour contract work. This is true for RCDD, CCNA and MCITP. Bottom line for non-degreed is that you will have to work HARDER for your money because the industry work force evolves and grows with younger and better educated people each year.


Degreed - BS/BA

With a degree you can expect to end up at some point with a managment job. This assumes two important points. First weather or not you are competent in your field and second weather or not you can manage people. However even with a degree you will be looking at 5-8 years of experience before even being considered for a management job. In basic terms you will be doing all the work of a non-degreed IT professional but with the opprotunity to advance into managment. Having certifications is a defining extra when employers are considering qualified canidates but there is no absolute need.

Graduate Degree

If you ever want to be a VP of IT or a IT Executive (CTO etc..) you will need to get the graduate degree. Although do not persue this degree unless you are capable and desire this kind of role.



For the OP i would say start at the bottom. Do quality work for your employer. Build up a quality list of references and when the chances present itself have letters of recommendation written on your behalf. Couple that with certifications, continuing education and within 5 years you can expect to make nice living.

Remember that once you are in IT the industry is volitale and constantly changing. Having a strong network of IT professionals to bounce ideas/questions off of is extremely important. Almost as important as certifications/education. You must continue your education and learn the latest changes (ie VMware 3.5>4.0>5.0, SCCM vs Altiris, Exchange, Directory Services, etc...) You must also always be prepared to take the next step "up". IT staff are usually the first to be cut/laid off when budgets get tight so save $$$ and be prepared for that as well.

Certs: Useful on paper means that you really learn alot of what you get the cert for while doing work in the field. Useful in career means that the certification presents you with information that you may not encounter in a routine work environment. It also means that it will directly impact your salary offers/requirements.

A+ (useful on paper)
Network + (useful in career)
Security + (useful in career)
MCITP:Server Admin (extremely useful in career)
VCP (useful on paper)
RCDD (extremely useful in career)
CCNA (extremely useful in career)


Hope this helps.